The behaviour linked EFs: 3. Task Initiation Task initiation is the ability to begin projects or activities in an efficient and timely manner without procrastination. Using this skill can involve beginning a task as soon as it is assigned or deciding when a task will be done and beginning promptly at that predetermined time.
Difficulties with task initiation include:
• Procrastinating/avoiding tasks due to: o Not knowing how to get started o Believing the task will ‘take forever’ o Believing one’s performance won’t meet expectations o Seeing the task as tedious, boring, irrelevant • Finding other things to do rather than start schoolwork • Difficulty getting back to work after breaks
Teenagers can often over-estimate how much time they have to complete task, as well as under-estimating how long the task will actually take to do. They will often also prioritise completing an interesting or fun activity ‘first’, both as a way to gain some immediate pleasure and as a way of avoiding or escaping the non-preferred task.
Ideas about how to help with Task Initiation difficulties: • Whenever possible use a work-goal that your teenager has been encouraged to set themselves (rather than one imposed on them). However, if the goal / end result is
far off in the future, or the number of tasks involved in achieving the goal is large, beginning the task may still be a problem. • If a task seems overwhelming, encourage your son/daughter to work with you or their teacher to break the task down into more manageable parts, with specific deadlines for each part. • Try to encourage them to make an explicit plan for when/how the task will get done. This will provide them more with ownership and control over the process and can positively affect their ability to get started. Encouraging them to break the task down into small steps will make it seem more manageable. • Where possible try to let your teenager decide on deadlines and cuing systems that work best for them in order to trigger a willingness to engage in task initiation. • When the ball is rolling, keep it going – stopping and starting can be the enemy of task initiation, so if your teenager has successfully started on a task and they have the momentum and perseverance to be able to keep going , encourage them to do so, reminding them that it will get the job done more quickly and drag the task out less. • Trying to stay positive will help with your teenager engage more with task initiation.
Increasing task initiation abilities (for non-preferred tasks) (to increase self-awareness of what possible triggers are)
Item
Not a problem
Notes / strategies
I put off homework or chores until the last minute It’s hard for me to put aside fun activities to start schoolwork I need many reminders to start activities
Pupil self-help strategies: - to make yourself start a task.
• • • • •
Tips Pick the task (make it small) Pick the start time Pick the minimum work time Pick the cue to start Other strategies:
Self-talk • • • •
Just do it Take small steps Start small Your own idea:
Tips • TWINK • Think about the task • Write three steps to begin the task: 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? • Initiate (begin) the first step • Next step - begin the next step • Keep on going
• Please feel free to email me (marsdenz@kesw.org) if you would like me to do any 1:1 input with your son/daughter to help them get back on track with any of these skills.
Kind regards, Zoe Marsden Head of Learning Support and SENCO - King Edward's Witley